7 chapters across the catalog
The FCC chairman announces plans to reinstate Net Neutrality rules. The hosts argue that Net Neutrality actually "downgrades" internet speeds to a common mean and provides a pretext for governments to throttle "illegal traffic." They specifically identify Tor and BitTorrent protocols as the likely targets of deep packet inspection, which could be used to eliminate movie sharing and anonymous browsing under the guise of equal traffic.
The discussion turns to the proposed Comcast-Time Warner merger and how net neutrality rules might facilitate it. They argue that Comcast prioritizes its own video-on-demand services over Netflix for competitive reasons, and that future regulation will lead to deep packet inspection and content filtering.
FCC Net Neutrality Rules, Lawful Content Definitions
The FCC has released a 90-page Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding the "open internet," with a public comment deadline of July 15, 2014. The document repeatedly uses the terms "lawful content" and "lawful network traffic" without providing specific definitions. The hosts warn that this legal ambiguity will require deep packet inspection and grant the government the power to determine what speech is permitted online, effectively bypassing First Amendment protections.
During the Monk Debates, General Michael Hayden defended the NSA's "collect it all" mantra, arguing that it does not mean the agency actually monitors every communication. Hayden shifted the blame for mass data collection onto private companies like Google, asserting that the government only targets those who mean to do harm. The hosts discuss the technical reality of "deep packet inspection" as a necessary component of any net neutrality regulation.
Net Neutrality Deep Packet Inspection and Sign-off
The show concludes with a final thought on net neutrality, suggesting that "packet equality" will inevitably lead to invasive deep packet inspection by ISPs. Adam Curry mentions the arrest of 11 terrorists with links to Al-Qaeda in connection with the disappearance of Flight MH370, reiterating his theory about the plane's cargo. The hosts sign off, with Curry still battling his illness and Dvorak looking forward to the next broadcast.
Bell Canada Data Tracking and Targeted Advertising
Bell Canada issued a notice to customers regarding new data tracking policies that monitor web pages visited, search terms, and TV viewing patterns. The hosts argue that "Big Data" is ineffective for advertising and serves primarily as a justification for invasive surveillance.
The legal battle between Viacom and Google over YouTube copyright infringement is discussed, specifically the court order for Google to hand over user logs. The hosts suggest this data could be used to prove that Google executives were aware of infringing content, potentially stripping them of DMCA safe harbor protections. The broader implication is the potential for ISPs to become mandatory filtering stations using deep packet inspection.
